โah, do not apologise. you were busy, I understand.โ busy is not quite the right word, they both know, but the pious lie is a grace it costs her nothing to offer. the reason behind the last unmarried sibling's self-imposed exile was, of course, an open secret in the family, but โ
โI have only just returned,โ Gregory manages to say, albeit a little lamely.
โAfter what happened, I found myself on my own, getting in touch with old friends around the country. The last time I was just with Fitzharding, a former friend at Eton. Heโd just married, you see.โ -
โ one they mostly agreed to ignore for the sake of having him around, even if shrouded in secret and melancholy. she is softer when she talks again.
โyou know the doors of our cottage are always open to you, yes ? for as long as you like. we live so far away from gossips โ
and he's doing so well with all his many nieces and nephews, the darling boy of all his siblings and in-laws, that she cannot help but smile and wish for a day he would fulfill what she knows is his dearest wish, and have a little on of his own. โi know. it is the last time โ
This doesnโt go unnoticed by Gregory, the sight of the growing family so endearing that even his expression softens.
โAnd the lemonade table is so far away,โ he quips helpfully, reaching out to pinch William on the cheek.
โ ever I allow him to run off and leave me alone with the little rascals.โ another fake-glare. โbut anyway. how are you ? i have not seen you in so long ! i did not even know you were back in London.โ
โwell, they did promise to him not to run around when he left them with their fat mother to get her a lemonade, did they not ?โ chastising glare towards their boys, one that carries no heat at all and clearly betrays that they are, in fact, very much adored and spoiled children.
Gregory peers over her head with a raised brow. โAnd where is my brother? Doesnโt he know not to leave you running around alone?โ
He shoots an arm out, caging Charles from making another escape.
loud huff as they join them with William perched on her hip ( precariously, due to the round bump ), waddling about. โthey have not a care in the world for my poor nerves ! but boys will be boys.โ
He manages to grab him by the arms before heโs made it outside.
โFinally!โ He breathes out, turning to Sophie with a winded grin. โHeโs here! Hey, Charles, whatever happened to making sure mummy dearest doesnโt trip?โ
Since when did you get faster?! (He calls after the boy, joining in his laugh at the utter glee on his expression. The little sneak, he was weaving his way expertly through the crowd.)